Divisadero by Michael Ondaatje [ Edited ]

[Amanda_R]

A Luminous New Novel From the Author of The English Patient

From the Publisher: From the celebrated author of The English Patient and In the Skin of a Lion comes a remarkable new novel of intersecting lives that ranges across continents and time. In the 1970s in northern California, near Gold Rush country, a father and his teenage daughters, Anna and Claire, work their farm with the help of Coop, an enigmatic young man who makes his home with them. Theirs is a makeshift family, until it is riven by an incident of violence — of both hand and heart — that sets fire to the rest of their lives. Divisadero takes us from the city of San Francisco to the raucous backrooms of Nevada’s casinos, and eventually to the landscape of south central France. It is here, outside a small rural village, that Anna becomes immersed in the life and the world of a writer from an earlier time — Lucien Segura. His compelling story, which has its beginnings at the turn of the century, circles around “the raw truth” of Anna’s own life, the one she’s left behind but can never truly leave. And as the narrative moves back and forth in time and place, we discover each of the characters managing to find some foothold in a present rough-hewn from the past. Breathtakingly evoked and with unforgettable characters, Divisadero is a multi-layered novel about passion, loss, and the unshakable past, about the often discordant demands of family, love, and memory. It is Michael Ondaatje’s most intimate and beautiful novel to date.

Whether you're a fan of The English Patient or are new to Ondaatje's fiction, share your thoughts on his latest compelling novel here.

Amanda

Message Edited by Amanda_R on 06-06-2007 11:01 AM

[kerrylee]

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Amanda_R wrote:
A Luminous New Novel From the Author of The English Patient








From the Publisher: From the celebrated author of The English Patient and In the Skin of a Lion comes a remarkable new novel of intersecting lives that ranges across continents and time.

In the 1970s in northern California, near Gold Rush country, a father and his teenage daughters, Anna and Claire, work their farm with the help of Coop, an enigmatic young man who makes his home with them. Theirs is a makeshift family, until it is riven by an incident of violence — of both hand and heart — that sets fire to the rest of their lives.

Divisadero takes us from the city of San Francisco to the raucous backrooms of Nevada’s casinos, and eventually to the landscape of south central France. It is here, outside a small rural village, that Anna becomes immersed in the life and the world of a writer from an earlier time — Lucien Segura. His compelling story, which has its beginnings at the turn of the century, circles around “the raw truth” of Anna’s own life, the one she’s left behind but can never truly leave. And as the narrative moves back and forth in time and place, we discover each of the characters managing to find some foothold in a present rough-hewn from the past.

Breathtakingly evoked and with unforgettable characters, Divisadero is a multi-layered novel about passion, loss, and the unshakable past, about the often discordant demands of family, love, and memory. It is Michael Ondaatje’s most intimate and beautiful novel to date.

Whether you're a fan of The English Patient or are new to Ondaatje's fiction, share your thoughts on his latest compelling novel here.

Amanda

Message Edited by Amanda_R on 05-29-200704:06 PM

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I wasn't aware that Michael Ondaatje had just released something new. I haven't read any of his books, but I've seen the English Patient at least 10 times so far. If his books are even a little bit as good as that movie, then I'd really like to read Divisidero and anything else he may have written. If you could suggest anything in particular, I'd really appreciate it. One of the reasons I loved The English Patient was that the language was just so beautiful. Would there be a chance of having a discussion about Divisidero in the future? Food for thought.

Take care

[sethsma05]

I haven't read any of Michael Ondaate's works, but I'm going to get this one. I've been meaning to a long time now. I did a show with him, I was an intern for one of his plays, The Collected Works of Billy The Kid. If you can find a copy of it, it's a beautiful play with music. I would defenetly recommend looking into his drama too.

[kiakar]

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sethsma05 wrote:
I haven't read any of Michael Ondaate's works, but I'm going to get this one. I've been meaning to a long time now. I did a show with him, I was an intern for one of his plays, The Collected Works of Billy The Kid. If you can find a copy of it, it's a beautiful play with music. I would defenetly recommend looking into his drama too.

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I liked the movie but couldn't get into the book. I don't know why. i will probably try his new book.